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When looking for a new garage door, the different choices available can quickly become overwhelming. Not only are there several main styles, such as the roller or sectional garage door, there are also several different materials available.
Other materials are available, such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), though we do not currently work with these.
Each material has its pros and cons, and some may be better suited to different use cases.
GRP stands for Glass Reinforced Polyester, and may also be referred to as fibreglass. It’s a strong, lightweight material which makes it perfect for an up-and-over style garage door. It’s also very durable and resistant to rust, warp and rot.
GRP has a better strength to weight ratio than steel, and is virtually maintenance free. GRP doors can also be finished in a variety of different ways, such as woodgrain or matte, and are available in a wide range of colours.
It’s naturally resistant to dents, knocks and blows that would normally permanently damage a traditional steel or wooden door. GRP is particularly well suited to coastal areas due to its ability to withstand rust and harsher conditions.
As GRP consists of glassfibre, strong light can be seen through a GRP door panel. It’s a common misconception that this means it’s not as strong as other door types, but this is simply not the case and is merely a feature of GRP as a material. GRP doors are as strong as steel doors.
Repairing a GRP door is also relatively easy, as scratches and other imperfections can be completely restored. As well as this, GRP doors require very little maintenance, and can be washed down with fresh water to remove dust, bird droppings and other debris. GRP doors can also be easily renewed using a polisher such as T-Cut, but be sure to check manufacturer guidelines.
Steel is by far the most common material used and sold in the UK. It is strong but malleable, and is available in a wide range of pressing finishes (e.g. different style grooves and contours) and colours.
Steel garage doors are sturdy and secure against brute forced entry attempts, and are available in different grades of thickness. Often just the site of a steel garage door is a good enough deterrent to opportunistic criminals.
Up and over steel garage doors are constructed from a single piece, giving it rigidity at every angle. Steel sectional doors consist of separate interlocking pieces, but still provide very good sealing and strength when the door is closed. Likewise, steel side hung garage doors offer a different style while retaining the security and sturdiness of a steel construction.
Most steel garage door suppliers offer lengthy warranties, potentially upwards of 10 years, due to steel being such a hard wearing material when galvanised or zinc plated.
Timber garage doors are a much more traditional choice, and boast an unrivaled natural beauty. Each garage door is unique, with different graining, knots and shading, and while they do require more maintenance they can still last a very long time.
Modern timber treatments result in much longer periods of protection, and may only require a light wash of the panel occasionally. Timber can also be repaired if damaged and are much more forgiving when it comes to small knocks and bumps.
Timber is a great choice if your home has a rustic or traditional feel, though they can also be finished in a variety of different ways and can be painted to match the rest of your doors and windows.
